Wallets



Nov. 4, 1958 E. s. VlHON 2,858,870

WALLETS Filed June 11, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 4, 1958 E. S. VlHON I WALLETS Filed June 11, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 8 IN VENT OR. c/a/a/w/ wm United States Patent i. 2,858,870 WALLETS Edward S. Vihon, Chicago, Ill. Application June 11, 1957, Serial No. 664,979 8 Claims. (Cl. 150-35) This invention relates to wallets and, more particularly, to a novel wallet construction which is flexible and sturdy, which is economical to manufacture, and which is more convenient to use than prior art wallets.

According to prior art practices, wallets have generally been provided with card pockets which open toward the central portion of the wallet, which is bent or folded when closed. Thus, when the user wishes to extract a card or picture from the pocket, the wallet must be opened and the card or picture must be pulled toward the center portion of the wallet in an awkward manner well known to users of such wallets. Furthermore, in a prior art wallet having a pocket which opens toward one end thereof, the opening is so arranged that it is inaccessible in closed or partially closed position of the wallet. Other disadvantages of prior art constructions have been the difficulty of inserting and removing cards from the pocket and the absence of a pocket suitable for a charge plate.

' A primary object of the present invention is to devise a novel wallet having a pocket construction in which at least one pocket opens at an end of the Wallet and is preferably provided with a card retainer having a bar or similar portion which projects from the open end of the pocket to enable removal of the retainer with the wallet entirely or partially closed. In one embodiment of my novel wallet, the clip is provided with snap retainer means engageable with complementary means of the wallet envelope, and in another embodiment the clip is free from connection to the envelope.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel double pocket construction wherein oneof the pockets opens at the end of the wallet and the other pocket opens toward the central portion of the wallet.

A further object of the invention is to devise a pocket construction such as heretofore described which is economical to manufacture and is flexible and sturdy to withstand the repeated folding and unfolding to which wallets are subjected in service.

Still another object of the invention is to afford a novel tongue and slit connection between the reinforcing or separator strip within the envelope of the wallet and a portion of the envelope which is inturned to overlap and conceal the outer edge of the strip.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pocket with two openings, one for an article such as a charge plate and another for longer articles such as cards or a telephone number book.

A different object of the invention is to attach a clip or bar to one side of a slit affording an opening to a wallet pocket so that the bar acts as a guide for a card or similar article when inserted into the pocket through the slit.

-Still another object of the invention is to provide a tongue connected to a bottom segment of a wallet envelope, said tongue extending between spaced top segments of the envelope and beneaththe reinforcing strip to afford a durable and attractive center portion along which the wallet is folded in service.

In one embodiment of my invention, the tongue is attached, as by stitching, to a stiff but flexible liner releaseably held against the bottom segment of the Wallet envelope by an inturned portion thereof to afford a novel secret pocket construction.

,Another object of the invention is to afford a novel 2,858,870 Patented Nov. 4, 1958 change pocket construction for one of the top segments of the wallet envelope. 8

Still another object of the invention is to devise a wallet such as heretofore described in which all normally visible parts are formed of a relatively expensive and attractive material which is afforded novel connections to a more economical reinforcing and lining material capable of withstanding service wear and which is very thin and pleasing to the eye.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an open wallet embodying a preferred form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1 with certain of the structure omitted for clarity;

Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views, respectively, on lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a novel card holder utilized in the wallet of Figures 1--4;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of an open wallet embodying a modification of the invention; and

Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views, respectively, on lines 77 and 88 of Figure 6.

Describing the novel wallet in detail and referring first to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, it will be seen that an outer envelope 2 of relatively expensive material such as fine leather, fabric, or finished plastic contains a reinforcing or separator strip 4 which is preferably formed of a less expensive material and is preferably covered at the top side thereof along a central exposed portion thereof by a strip 6 of a material which matches that of the envelope. The strips 4 and 6 may be scored transversely of the wallet as at 8 to afford crease lines parallel to the transverse centerline of the wallet, thus maintaining a neat and attractive appearance without development of unsightly wrinkles or folds due to repeated folding and unfolding of the wallet in service.

The envelope 2 comprises a pair of top segments 10 and 12 which are spaced from each other lengthwise of the wallet, and the envelope comprises a bottom segment 14 which has a flap 16 at one end thereof received within a slit 18 of top segment 10 and attached to the underside thereof as by an adhesive or an electronically formed seam. The segment 10 is attached as by stitching 19 (Fig. 3) to an inexpensive layer 20 of reinforcing material and is inturned to overlap the outer edge 21 of the strip 4. The layer 20 is attached as by stitching at 22 (Fig. 2) to one end of the strip 4 and to the top segment 10 and is preferably otherwise unattached to the strip 4 to afford a sturdy flexible construction which is durable in service and is economical to manufacture.

The strip 4 adjacent its opposite end is slitted at 24 (Fig. 2) to receive a tongue 25 of a layer 26 of inexpensive material attached as by stitching at 27 (Fig. 4) to an inturned edge of the top segment 12 which overlaps the outer edge 21 of the strip 4, in the manner heretofore described in connection with segment 10 and layer 20. The layer 26 is stitched at said end thereof as at 28 (Fig. 2) to one end of a liner 30, the opposite end of which is attached as by an adhesive or a seam to the top segment 12 along an inturned edge 32 thereof, said edge defining an opening to a card pocket 34 partly defined by the-liner 30 which also defines, with the segment 12, another pocket 36 opening as at 38 at one end of the wallet.

The pocket 36 is particularly adapted to contain a card holder assembly 35 (Fig. 5) comprising a plurality of transparent, flexible plastic envelopes 35a; The envelopes 35a are arranged in pairs with each pair interconnected by a hinge strip 37 having V-shaped notches 39 engaged by a spring clip 41 which also engages similar notches of'a flexible retainer 43 having a bar 45 with a male snap 47 adapted to engage a complementary socket of a female snap 44 to positively lock the assembly within its pocket 36.

As will be readily understood, the envelopes 35a and :Ihe retainer 43Qrnay be quickly disassembled when the clip 41 is open as'seen in Figure 5. This enables .quick replacement of the envelopes 35a if they become worn or cracked in service. When the assembly 35 is in normal :use, the clip 41 is .closed with its free end 41a snapped beneath its hook end 4112.

.of the slit 46 is preferably clamped within a decorative metallic or plastic clip or bar 52 which overlaps the opposite edge of the slit 46, as best seen in Figure 2, when the charge plate 48 is removed. The bar 52 is adapted to guide the charge plate during reinsertion thereof into I the slit 46.

The end of the bottom segment 114, remote from the flap 16, is inturned as at 54 (Fig. 2) and is secured as by adhesive or a seam to the liner 3% within the pocket 36,

to reinforce and conceal the stitching at 28.

The bottom segment is also preferably provided along its inner side with a liner 56 of relatively inexpensive material and is inturned as at 58 (Figs. 3 and 4) to conceal the outer edge of said liner 56.

;A tongue or flap 60 is defined by an inturned extension of the bottom segment 14 and extends between segments 10 and 12 to underlie the strip 4, whereby as best seen in Figure 1, all normally exposed portions of the novel wallet, when folded or unfolded, are formed of the relatively expensiveand attractive material from which segments 10, 12, and 14 of the envelope 2 are formed.

Referring now to the embodiment of Figures 6-8, it will be seen that an envelope 72 of relatively expensive material, such as leather or finely finished plastic, comprises, as in the previously described embodiment, spaced atop segments 74 and 76 and a bottom segment 78.

A reinforcing or separator strip 80 of less expensive material is disposed in the envelope between the top and the bottom segments and is covered by a strip 82 of material which preferably matches that of the envelope 72.

The strips 80 and 82 are scored as at 34 (Fig. 6) for the purpose heretofore discussed in connection with the preceding embodiment.

The strip 80 is preferably lined as at 86 and is concealed by layers 33 and 90 formed by inturned portions of the top segments 74 and 76 respectively. The top segment 74 is stitched as at 92 (Fig. 7) to the strip 80 adjacent one end thereof and to layer 38, the liner 86 and a liner 94 on the inside of the segment 74. The segment i 74 and layer 88 are otherwise preferably unattached to the strip 80 to afford a flexible construction.

The bottom segment 78 of the envelope 72 is also pro-' vided with a loose liner 96 on the inner side thereof and is provided with a tongue 60a similar to the tongue 60 described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1-5. The tongue 60a is attached as by stitching at 9-7 (Figure 8) to the inner edge of the liner 96 which is otherwise unattached to the segment 7 and is concealed by an inturned portion 98 thereof to define a secret pocket 100 (Fig. 8) which may be conveniently opened when the portion 98 is turned out to release the outer edge of the liner 96 which is preferably flexible but stilt for f this purpose.

One end of the bottom segment 73 is provided with a the envelope 72.

V The strip as well as its liner '86, adjacent their ends remote from stitching 92 are provided with slits 102 through which a tongue 103 of the layer extends to overlap the opposite side of the strip 80, as in the embodiment of Figures 1-3. The tongue 103 is attached as by stitching at 103a (Fig. 7) to one end of a liner 104, the opposite end of which is attached to an inturned edge of the top segment 76 as by stitching or an adhesive.

As in the embodiment of Figures l-3, the segment 76 and liner 104 define a pocket 105 opening at one end of the wallet as 106, and the liner 164 defines with the strip 81 another pocket 107 opening, as at 108, toward the transverse centerline of the novel wallet and toward an opening 11% of a pocket 112 defined by segment 74 and the strip 80. v

A change purse is provided by securing a segment 114 of material along one inturned edge thereof, to, the top segment 74. One end of the segment 114 is inserted through a split 116 of segment 74 between the liner 94 and the segment '74 and is attached thereto as by stitching at 118. The other end of segment 114 is inserted through slits 119 in the segment 74 and liner 94 and is attached theretoby the stitching at 92. v

A closure flap 120 is attached to segment 74, and the fiap 120 and segment 114 may be provided with releaseable means such as a conventional snap device (not shown) to close the change purse.

The bottom segment 78 at its end remote from the flap 101 is inturned as at 122 and is attached as by an adhesive to the liner 104 within the pocket 105, to reinforce and conceal its connection at 103a to the tongue 103 of the layer 90.

The bottom segment 78 is also provided with a ,snap

socket 124 (Fig. 7) adapted to engage a complementary prong of a male snap member 126 (Fig. 6) on a tongue 128 which is attached to the bottom segment 78 by'extending through a slit 130 (Fig. 7) thereof for convenient attachment as by an adhesive to the inner side of the segment 78.

Preferably, the top segment 76 is laminated as best seen in Figure 8. This is preferably accomplished by slitting the segment 76 as at 132 and 134 to form portions 76a, 76b and 760. Liners 136a and 13617 are attached as by adhesive to respective segments 76b and 760 to define pockets opening toward one end of the wallet, as best seen in Figure 8.

Thus it will be understood that the invention comprises a novel wallet construction which is capable of long wear in service, which is thin and attractive in appearance, and which can be manufactured at a sufficiently low cost to be competitive with more expensive wallets. The novel wallet comprises a novel double pocket arrangement in which one pocket opens at one end of the wallet and another pocket opens toward the center of the wallet, both pockets being partly defined by a liner attached at opposite ends thereof to a top segment and to a spacer strip of the wallet, the strip having a tongue and slit connection to an inturned portion of the top segment, whereby the double pocket construction is flexible and sturdy.

A primary feature of the invention is the manner in which one pocket opens at one end of the wallet, so

that the user may remove a card or picture or the like from the pocket withoutcompletely opening the wallet. A novel retainer in said pocket may comprise a plurality of transparent envelopes for cards or pictures and may comprise a portion projecting from the pocket for convenient removal therefrom. The retainer may, if desired, comprise releasable means such as a snap device to hold the retainer and its contents in the pocket.

Other features of the invention comprise a novel secret pocket construction, a card pocket having two openings, one for a charge plate, and novel pocket "arrangernents for change and an extra key.

' While the present invention has been explained'and described with reference to specific embodiments of structure, it will be understood, nevertheless, that numerous modifications and variations are susceptible of being incorporated without departure from the essential spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended for an understanding of this invention to be limited by the foregoing description nor by the illustrations in the annexed drawings, except as indicated in the hereinafter appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A wallet comprising an elongated strip of hidden material, an inner layer of such material disposed at one side of the strip and stitched on one end thereof to an end of said strip, another inner layer of such material, separable from the strip and spaced lengthwise of the wallet from the first-mentioned layer and extending at said side of said strip and having a portion extending through a slit in said strip adjacent its other end to overlap the opposite side thereof, a liner attached at one end thereof to the portion of said other layer which overlaps said opposite side of said strip, and an envelope of exterior material surrounding one edge of said strip and having a bottom segment spaced from said layers to define therewith a bill compartment, said envelope having top segments spaced from each other lengthwise of the wallet, one of the top segments surrounding an edge of the strip remote from the first-mentioned edge of said strip and being stitched to said first-mentioned layer, the other top segment surounding the edge of the strip remote from said first-mentioned edge of said strip and being stitched to the second-mentioned layer, a flap connected to one end of the bottom segment and extending into a slit of the first-mentioned top segment and secured thereto to define a card pocket opening toward the transverse centerline of the wallet, the other top segment having an inner edge attached to the liner and having a free outer edge partly defining a card pocket opening toward one end of the wallet, said liner and said strip defining a card pocket opening toward the other end of the wallet, a layer of said second-mentioned material attached to said strip at the side thereof remote from said layers, and a tongue on the bottom segment extending between the top segments and overlapping said one side of said strip.

2. A wallet comprising an envelope having spaced top segments and a bottom segment, a strip of material extending lengthwise of the wallet spacing the top segments from the bottom segment and defining therewith a bill pocket, layers attached to respective top segments and overlapping the side of said strip facing the bottom segment, a liner between the bottom segment and the strip, flexible means on said bottom segment overlapping the outer edge of the liner to releasably hold the latter against the bottom segment, and a tongue attached to said bottom segment and attached to said liner along its opposite edge to afford a hinged connection for the liner accommodating spacing of the liner from the bottom segment to reveal a hidden bill compartment upon release of said flexible means from said liner.

3. A wallet comprising an envelope having spaced top segments and a bottom segment, a strip of material spacing the top segments from the bottom segment and defining with the latter a bill pocket, layers attached to respective top segments and overlapping the side of said strip which faces said bottom segment, means attaching the strip at one end thereof to the related layer and the related top segment, said bottom segment having one end thereof overlapping said means and secured to the top layer, the opposite end of said strip having a tongue and slit connection to the other layer, a liner attached at one end thereof to said opposite end of the strip, said liner being attached at its opposite end to the other top segment at its inner end, the opposite end of said bottom segment overlapping said one end of the liner and being attached thereto, said other top segment at its opposite end partly defining an opening at the end of the wallet to a pocket defined by the liner and said other top segment.

4. A wallet comprising an envelope having spaced top segments and a bottom segment; a strip in said envelope spacing the top segments from the bottom segment, a layer attached to one of the top segments and overlapping said strip along its side which faces the bottom segment, a tongue and slit connection between said layer and strip, and a liner connected at its inner and outer ends, respectively, to said one top segment and said strip to define two pockets facing opposite ends, respectively, of the wallet.

5. A wallet comprising an envelope having spaced top segments and a bottom segment, a strip in said envelope spacing the top segments from the bottom segment, said segments having free edges facing each other, the free edge of one segment defining an opening to a pocket at one side of the strip, a slit in said top segment'defined by separable edges thereof, and a bar attached to the separable edge remote from said opening to facilitate insertion of a. card or the like into said pocket through said slit.

6. A wallet comprising an envelope containing a strip, said envelope comprising spaced segments at one side of the strip and a liner attached at opposite ends thereof, respectively, to the inner end of one of said segments and to one end of the strip, the other end of said one segment being free to define a pocket at that end of the wallet, a card holder in said pocket having a portion extending from said pocket into overlapping relationship with said one segment and readily releaseable means on said one segment and said portion for interlocking the portion with said one segment to prevent accidental removal of said card holder from said pocket.

7. A wallet comprising an envelope having spaced top segments and a bottom segment, a stiffener in said envelope spacing the top segments from the bottom segment, layers connected to respective top segments and overlapping the side of said stiffener which faces the bottom segment, a tongue and slit connection between one layer and said stiffener, a liner attached at one end thereof to the inner end of the top segment which is connected to said one layer, the outer end of said liner being attached to the stiffener whereby said liner partly defines inwardly and outwardly opening pockets.

8. A wallet comprising an envelope containing a strip, said envelope comprising spaced segments at each side of the strip and a liner attached at opposite ends thereof respectively to said segments and to each end of said strip, the unattached ends of each segment being free to define a pocket open at one extremity of said wallet and a second pocket open substantially at the center of said wallet; a card holder in each of said pockets, each of said card holders having a portion extending from said pocket into overlapping relationship with each segment and readily releaseable means on each segment and each portion for interlocking the portion with its respective segment to prevent accidental removal of said card holder from said pocket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,041,104 Walsh Jan. 9, 1912 1,454,246 Malzahn May 8, 1923 1,828,342 Sachs Oct. 20, 1931 2,306,001 Struhl Dec. 22, 1942 2,344,694 Gardner Mar. 21, 1944 2,455,527 Seamon Dec. 7, 1948 2,495,931 Harvey Jan. 31, 1950 2,512,588 St. Thomas June 20, 1950 2,606,589 Linehan Aug. 12, 1952 2,642,912 Berger June 23, 1953 2,681,677 Poeltl June 22, 1954 2,718,911 Solomon Sept. 27, 1955 2,748,821 Hutchinson June 5, 1956 

